The answer to this question depends on a few factors, such as the temperature of the environment and whether the chicken is cooked or raw. Generally speaking, raw chicken should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. If the temperature is higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the chicken should not be left out for more than one hour.
If the chicken is cooked, it can be left out for up to four hours.
If you’re wondering how long raw chicken can stay out, the answer is not very long. Raw chicken should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking or purchasing. If it’s left out at room temperature for more than two hours, bacteria can start to grow, making the chicken unsafe to eat.
So, if you’re not going to cook the chicken right away, be sure to store it in the fridge.
Here's How To Tell If Chicken Has Gone Bad
Uncooked chicken left out for 5 hours
If you’ve left chicken out of the fridge for more than two hours, it’s no longer safe to eat. But that doesn’t mean you have to toss it. With a little creativity, you can still use it in a dish.
Here are some ideas.
If the chicken is only slightly warmer than fridge temperature, you can cook it as you normally would. Just be sure to cook it thoroughly, since it will already be partially cooked.
If the chicken is warmer than that, it’s best to either shred it or cut it into small pieces before cooking. This will help it cook evenly and prevent it from drying out.
There are plenty of recipes that call for cooked, shredded chicken.
Chicken salad is a classic, or you could use it in a pasta dish, a wrap, or on top of a salad.
If the chicken is very warm or starting to turn brown, it’s best to discard it.
How long can raw chicken stay in the fridge
It’s always best to cook chicken within a day or two of buying it, but if you need to store it for longer, raw chicken can be kept in the fridge for up to two days. After that, it’s best to freeze it.
Raw chicken can last in the fridge for up to two days, but it’s best to cook it within a day or two of buying it.
If you do need to store it for longer, make sure to freeze it.
Raw chicken left out for 8 hours
If you’ve ever left raw chicken out for 8 hours (or longer), you may be wondering if it’s still safe to eat. The answer is unfortunately no. Raw chicken that has been left out for 8 hours (or longer) is no longer safe to eat.
The chicken may have been contaminated with bacteria, which can cause food poisoning. If you’re not sure whether the chicken is still safe to eat, it’s best to err on the side of caution and throw it away.
Raw chicken left out for 4 hours
If you’re like most people, you probably think that it’s totally fine to leave raw chicken out on the counter for up to four hours. After all, it’s not like it’s going to spoil instantly, right? Wrong.
In fact, raw chicken that’s been left out at room temperature for more than two hours should be thrown out, as it’s highly susceptible to bacterial growth.
Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, and raw chicken is the perfect breeding ground for them. At room temperature, bacteria can double in number every 20 minutes, so by the four-hour mark, there’s a very real risk of food poisoning.
And it’s not just salmonella you have to worry about; other dangerous bacteria like E. coli and campylobacter can also make their way into chicken that’s been left out too long.
So, next time you’re prepping dinner, make sure to cook your chicken as soon as possible. And if you do end up leaving it out for more than two hours, be sure to toss it in the trash to avoid making yourself sick.
Can raw chicken sit out for 3 hours?
No, you should not leave raw chicken out for more than two hours. If it’s been sitting out longer than that, it’s best to throw it away. The reason is that bacteria that can cause food poisoning, like salmonella, can start to grow on chicken after two hours at room temperature.
And, once bacteria have started to grow, they can multiply quickly. So, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and either cook chicken right away or store it in the fridge.
Can I eat raw chicken left out for 6 hours?
No, you cannot eat raw chicken that has been left out for six hours. Chicken must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe to eat. If your chicken has been sitting out at room temperature for six hours, it is no longer safe to eat.
Conclusion
According to the USDA, raw chicken can stay out at room temperature for up to two hours. After that, it needs to be refrigerated or cooked. That said, it’s best to err on the side of caution and refrigerate or cook your chicken as soon as possible.
